Call to Commitment

 

Your adversary, the devil

 

Shepherd the Flock of God

 1.      The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:    

       2.      Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 

3.      nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 

4.   and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 

 The words that Peter heard directly from the mouth of Jesús form the background for his message to the elders of the churches, to whom he is writing. Jesus taught, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you… do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven... whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt. 20:25, 26; 23:8, 9, 12).

 I have heard a few leaders say that the charges that are under their care are rowdy and rebellious and, therefore, require a firmer grip and demand more authority, than that to which Jesus limited his disciples. I would suggest then, that they would start over and build something Christian. There are no rules in Christianity, besides those which Jesus laid down, and there are no exceptions to those rules.

 There is no wiser advice in Scripture than that which Peter gives in this letter. This rough fisherman has been broken and gentled. He writes to the elders in the churches and equalizes himself to them. He places himself among them and not over them in the least. 

However, he did witness personally the crucifixion. The word witness in the Greek means martyr and continually reminds us that a witness for Christ must be faithful to the death. He was also witness on the Mount of Transfiguration, where He saw Christ glorified. He was deeply affected by the revelation and wrote of it in his second letter, 1:17-18: “He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 

 There are only two offices in the local biblical church: deacons and elders. This portion of Scripture very clearly demonstrates that eldership has three titles and duties, which the office is to perform. The first is, of course, that of an elder brother, who is to set an example before the entire church. Paul gives Timothy various qualifications for an elder, which I will list here (1 T.3:1-7): An elder must be 1) blameless, 2) the husband of one wife, 3) temperate, 4) sober-minded, 5) of good behavior, 6) hospitable, 7) able to teach.

 There are areas, which he must avoid. He is not: 8) a drinker, 9) violent, 10) greedy, 11) quarrelsome, 12) covetous, or 13) a novice. He is also 14) gentle, 15) orders his home well, with obedient children, 16) and is a good testimony to the world around him (1). We can see that there are not a few prerequisites, which he must hold as an example before all the members of the church.

  In verse 2, Peter gives this leader the duty of a shepherd. He must take the responsibility for leading God’s flock and never usurp ownership. In the same sentence, he tells him that he is a bishop, which means that he must oversee and guard the church. All this is done within the local body of believers, and definitely is not an office over a district, as the office implies in modern churches.

 It is indicative of Christianity that all duties must be done from a heart of love. Paul tells Timothy, that an elder desires that position, and is not forced into it (1 T.3:1). He must not enter for monetary reasons; he must not see it as a professional career. He serves heartily, recognizing the privilege of being part of that organic, unearthly body that Peter implicates from the beginning of his letter (1:12)… “things which angels desire to look into!”

 A pastoral position is never authoritarian; in fact, any relationship, over one or many human beings, that manipulates and controls, is diabolical. The Kingdom of God operates on other principles, as I mentioned those that Jesus taught His disciples at the beginning of this chapter. Peter taught, as Jesus did, that leaders are not to lord it over… and now notice his terminology…  those entrusted to you. Leadership is exemplary, not commandeering (3).

 There is a Chief Shepherd, who has all the sub-shepherds under His watchful care. He will return one day, to reward His true servants at His tribunal.  “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Ro.14:12). And “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Co.5:10).

 There is a crown of glory awaiting faithful pastors. It speaks of a victor’s wreathe, not a royal diadem, but an unfading reward for one, who has won the victory for leading his flock through to heavenly pastures. That is a wonderful incentive for Christian leadership today, whose eyes are on heavenly, spiritual, and supernatural rewards. Those, who look for numerical growth, relying on programs and methods, seeker-friendly societies (I loath using the word churches), promoting positive platitudes, and shunning negative truth, are outside the sacred circle of heaven-bound saints. Only those who will walk the streets of gold are counted in this happy multitude (4). 

 

Submissive humility

      5.      Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be                                        submissive to  one another, and be clothed with humility, for   "GOD RESISTS THE                                        PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 

6.      Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 

7.      casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

 Generally speaking, Christian elders are sought among mature people with experience. Now Peter addresses the younger members of the church. The elders are not to demand obedience, but the younger ones are to willingly walk with a submissive attitude. Earlier Peter instructed the church to submit to the government (2:13-17), that slaves should submit to their masters (2:18-25). He counseled wives to submit to their husbands and demonstrated the advantage of that attitude (3:1-7). The younger generation will also gain advantage by possessing this attribute. However, after this passage, we understand that a submissive attitude is to be the characteristic of the entire church… be submissive to one another.

 Peter counsels all the church to put off pride and be clothed with humility. It has been a theme of his in this letter to put off and to put on. He began chapter 2, by writing of laying aside evil and desiring the milk of the word. In 3:10-11, he wrote of refraining the tongue and turning away from evil, in order to seek peace. In 4:2, he emphasized no longer living for the lusts of men, but the rest of our lives for the will of God.

 It would be difficult to overemphasize or exaggerate God’s hatred for pride. The summary of His entire word exposes the downfall of the proud and the exaltation of the humble. Jesus’ life demonstrated meekness and lowliness of heart and one fruit of the Holy Spirit is meekness. Peter sums up the Bible’s contempt for pride and love of humility by his declaration: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 says exactly the same (5).

 We are to practice humility.  We will experience many occasions to allow us to come under the mighty hand of God in obedience. He will counter our own stubborn ways and show us a better way, to our immense profit. We must learn to often go back to Isaiah 55:7-9 to renew the Lord’s good instruction for us: “Let the wicked forsake his way… your ways (are not) My ways… for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways…” The practice requires submissive humility and continually brings down pride. It is so vital to spiritual health. His intentions are to do us good and lift us to higher ground (6). A hymn teaches… 

His power can make you what you ought to be,

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;

His love can fill your soul and you will see,

‘Twas best for Him to have His way with Thee.

 Paul, in Romans 8:31, showed us that God is for us. He proves His good will towards us, because He did not spare His own Son for us (Ro.8:32). He justified us, so that no one can bring a case against us (Ro.8:33). Christ died in our place, so that no one can condemn us (Ro.8:34). Is it not to our comfort that we can cast all our care upon One, Who cares so much for us? He wants to bear all our cares (7).

  

9.   Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

10.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 

11.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

12.  By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 

13.  She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 

14.  Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

 Christianity is not a game or a garden of roses. It is a battlefield and Peter is faithful to make us aware of our enemy and that his aim is to devour us. We just learned that the Christian way requires humility and now, we will see, that it also demands sobriety and vigilance. The devil’s roaring is intended to bring worry and fear upon us and to overwhelm us with constant, insurmountable cares. His loud rumbles are meant to drown faith and hope. Anyone who has heard a lion roar, will understand the good analogy that Peter gives (8). The roar bellows from deep within a malicious heart, intent on robbing us of all the benefits of the gospel, killing new life obtained from above, destroying hope and peace (Jn.10:10).

 The supernatural antidote that stills the noise, calms the storm and quiets the heart is the faith that comes from God. Soberly, we recognize the enemy’s presence, vigilantly, we guard our souls from an expectant attack, and we stand to resist him, as he comes near. Only God gives overcoming faith, where human faith crumbles and stumbles before a superior power. Martyn Luther proclaimed it in his song of victory…

 For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe,

His craft and power are great, and bound with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

 

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing,

Dost ask Who that may be, Christ Jesus it is He,

Lord Sabaoth (Lord of hosts) His name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

 

And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear for God hath willed, His truth to triumph through us,

The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him,

His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

 The reformation stood in the throes of worldwide political and religious onslaught. In the early church everywhere, it suffered without organizational help or governmental rights. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world and we dare not trust any power under heaven today (9). 

The God of grace, Who has called us to eternal goals through His eternal Son, will finish the work that He has begun. That is Peter’s sure declaration and it was also Paul’s: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Php.1:6). God is too good a businessman, not to finish what He started. He has too much invested in us to stop now. He sent His only begotten Son, who spilled His priceless blood on this earth, and then followed with His Holy Spirit, to span 20 Centuries, assuring victory for His people (10).

 All this has one end in mind: It is for His eternal glory! Peter confirms the declaration with a word of absolute authority… Amen! (11) Never lose sight of this fact, that our existence on this planet is not for ourselves, but is to live for his pleasure. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col.1:16). However, His pleasure takes our eternal benefit into account and showers us with His never-ending blessings. “Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph.1:5).

 Peter draws this wonderful letter to a close, recognizing his scribe and faithful brother, Silvanus, better known as Silas. He has challenged us to appreciate to the fullest the awesome wonder of the gospel, into which we have entered. He does it again in verse 12, assuring us that we have entered into the true grace of God. In chapter one, He said that we are envied by prophets and angels. He proclaimed that this gospel has rescued us from mortality, illustrated by grass and flowers, which withers and fades away. The word, which was preached to us, he said, lives and abides forever.

 Peter has taught us the preciousness of our faith and the preciousness of the blood of Christ. He showed us a precious living Stone, a Chief Cornerstone, elect and precious, and we who believe, have found Him to be extremely precious, beyond words or thoughts. We love Him and we worship Him above anything or anyone in life here below, and we will continue to love Him eternally.   

 Mark the evangelist, was Peter’s beloved convert and is present with him at this time (13). The love, which overflows to our brethren, is immensely strong and deep, beyond human love. It exceeds that which a human soul can contain or express. It is a love that passes understanding, and with it comes a heavenly peace to overcome the turmoil of earthly existence. It lives and reigns in every believer (14).